Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere

The physical appearance of a school building does a lot to encourage or discourage family involvement. A physical structure that is forbidding sends the message "keep out." A home-like environment lets people know they are welcome. Some things schools can do to create this type of environment include:

Display signs that welcome visitors and remove warning signs if possible. (If English is a second language for many families, add welcome signs that reflect the languages of families' countries or origins.)